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“Do you think he’ll be anything like our Logan when we first met him?” Scott asked curiously.
He was leaning against the desk in his office, watching Jean as she lounged in the armchair opposite him.
“I’m not sure…” Jean replied thoughtfully, “But I doubt it.”
Scott tilted his head slightly, prompting her to speak further.
“Logan lost his old X-Men, Scott,” Jean said, her voice turning more serious, “Go easy on him. He’s probably a lot rougher around the edges than even our Logan was. He’s been through a lot.”
Scott nodded slowly, though his mind was already churning. They were meeting this universe’s new Wolverine for the first time. It had been a few months since Logan had been dragged over to their universe by Deadpool of all people and to Colossus’ insistence they’d all agreed to give him space to adjust.
Apparently, Colossus had been encouraging Logan to join the X-Men on a few small missions—especially as Deadpool often does small dirtier jobs for the X-Men when he feels like it. And from what Scott had gathered, he and Logan had struck up some kind of friendship after their universe-saving excursion. Something Scott could barely wrap his head around.
And he’s not talking about all the multiverse madness. He’s talking about this strange companionship Logan has with Wade. He could barely tolerate Deadpool’s over-the-top antics himself, let alone imagine someone like Logan putting up with him.
He was nervous yet intrigued about meeting this new Logan. The first time their Logan had shown up at the X-Mansion, it had felt like Scott’s world was turned upside down. He’d arrived with Rogue in tow, Magneto not far behind and—just to top things off— immediately started flirting with his girl.
Scott’s jaw tightened at the memory. Maybe he was overthinking it. There had been far bigger concerns at the time but part of him couldn’t help wondering. What if, in his own universe, Logan had actually won Jean over?
A sharp knock on the door snapped Scott out of his thoughts. He straightened up, his posture instinctively shifting into something more formal. Opposite him, Jean rose from her seat and moved to stand next to him.
“Come in,” Scott called out, his voice steady.
The door creaked open and Logan stepped inside, his presence filling the room almost instantly. Following close behind him—much to Scott’s surprise—was Wade Wilson.
Scott blinked, momentarily thrown off. His gaze shifted to Logan first, taking him in. He seemed older than their Logan had been when he first joined the X-Men but younger than when he passed. As Jean had predicted, there was a rougher edge to him—a faint scowl resting on his lips and a shadow of something darker in his narrowed eyes.
“Logan,” Jean greeted gently, extending a hand towards him.
Logan reached out, clasping her hand briefly in a firm shake. The simple gesture made Scott’s jaw tighten reflexively, though he managed to keep his expression neutral.
“Jean,” Logan said with a curt nod before letting go of her hand,
“Wade,” Jean said with a small nod in Wade’s direction.
Scott’s eyes darted over to the mercenary, almost forgetting he was there. For once, Wade wasn’t wearing his usual red and black suit instead, he was dressed much more casually. There was no endless rambling and he stood unusually quiet, a tight smile on his face. Scott noticed how Wade’s eyes kept flickering towards Logan as if making sure he hadn’t ran off.
“Summers,” Logan said, his voice clipped.
“Logan. It’s nice to meet you,” Scott replied, though his tone came out stiffer than he intended. He cringed slightly at his choice of words. Are they really meeting each other, if they both have met a different version of themselves?
“I see you’ve brought Deadpool along,” Scott said, letting his gaze drift back to Wade, unable to hide the scepticism in his voice.
“I’m here for emotional support,” Wade chirped brightly.
Scott ignored the comment, his attention shifting back to Logan with a pointed look.
“I asked him to come,” Logan stated simply.
“Why?” Scott blurted before he could stop himself
“Scott,” Jean hissed next to him, jabbing him in the side, her disapproval clear.
Logan’s eyes sharpened slightly, his expression hardening, “Because I want him here,” he replied, a slight growl seeping under his words.
“Okay!” Wade interjected brightly, stepping forward with exaggerated enthusiasm, “Let’s dial it down, folks! I heard we were here to talk about work, which means money. Which means more dog toys for Mary Puppins and more chimichangas for me. Win-win right?”
Scott’s eyes furrowed slightly in confusion and he noticed Logan rolling his eyes. But to Scott’s surprise, there wasn’t any irritation in the gesture which he expected—it seemed almost…fond? Scott shook his head. Maybe he was reading too much into things?
“Where are you staying Logan? Close to the mansion? Or…” Scott trailed off.
Logan went to open his mouth but then Jean’s voice cut through smoothly.
“Wherever you're staying, Logan, the mansion is always open to you,” she said, her tone warm. She stepped closer, gently squeezing his arm, “Whether it’s just a visit or something more permanent, you’re always welcome.”
Scott’s scowl deepened slightly, though he fought to keep it in check. He knew Jean was just being kind but the gesture still pricked something in him. He couldn’t help but anticipate Logan’s reaction, he expected Logan to maybe smile teasingly or perhaps quip back some gruff comment like their Logan might have done. But yet again this wasn’t his Logan.
Logan physically tensed, his shoulders tightening as he subtly recoiled from Jean’s touch. The movement was barely noticeable but Scott caught it. Jean’s hand fell back to her side, though her smile remained steady.
Logan shifted, deliberately stepping closer to Wade. Their hands brushed briefly and Scott noticed Logan’s gaze flicked towards him as if grounding himself. Then, instead of stepping back and reclaiming his space, like Scott expected, Logan stayed where he was. Their hands remained close, almost entwined as if Logan needed the contact.
Scott’s brow furrowed, confusion tugging at him at the gesture.
“We live in New York. The Bronx,” Logan said curtly, “About an hour's drive away.”
“We?” Scott asked curiously.
“Me and Wade,” Logan replied flatly.
Scott’s pretty sure the shock was obvious on his face. His eyes widened almost comically. Logan lived with Wade? Gruff, easily angered Logan lived with one of the most annoying idiots Scott thinks he’s ever met?
“Don’t forget Mary Puppins. Oh, and Blind Al,” Wade added, his voice light, “You should be jealous of me, Summers. I get to snuggle up in bed with The Wolverine every night.”
Scott nearly choked on the air at Wade’s casual remark. His mind reeled. The two were sharing a bed? He glanced at Jean who also looked slightly taken aback but there was also a slight knowing smile lingering on her lips accompanied by a soft look in her eyes.
“Like Jean said earlier. The mansion is always open, Logan,” Scott said, trying to regain his composure.
“I don’t want to live at the mansion,” Logan growled out.
“Or we can get you a new apartment in New York somewhere,” Scott suggested.
“I don’t want a new apartment. I like where I am now,” Logan said firmly, crossing his arms over his chest.
Scott was stunned. Logan liked living with Wade? Sharing a bed with him?
Next to him, Jean let out a soft laugh, “I think Logan is completely fine with where he is living now, Scott. And as Wade said earlier we are here to talk about jobs.”
“Thank god. Enough of the awkward small talk,” Wade whined dramatically.
“It’s not small talk—I need to know how close Logan lives if we need him for an emergency,” Scott gritted out.
“It’s always work talk with you, Laser face,” Wade drawled out.
Scott glared sharply at him, taking a step towards him but before he could retort, he noticed Logan shift. It was small but deliberate, Logan moved just enough to position himself between Scott and Wade. The action wasn’t hostile, but it seemed…protective. Scott froze, thrown off by the gesture.
“I’m not interested in working with too many old faces,” Logan cut in.
“We can arrange that,” Scott replied with a sharp nod, “But there may be situations where—”
“What Scott is trying to say is the we’ll ease you into it if that ever becomes necessary,” Jean interjected, “And only when you’re ready.”
Logan glanced at her, his jaw tightening, “And I want…” he hesitated, the words catching in his throat before he glanced at Wade. Then, he shifted, his expression hardening, “Whenever I do a mission, I want Wade on the same one.”
Scott blinked, thrown off by the request. From the look on Wade’s face, he wasn’t the only one surprised. But the mercenary quickly masked his expression with a grin.
“We’re a package deal,” Wade quipped.
“Of course,” Jean said warmly.
Scott, however, struggled to process it. In Scott’s opinion, based on his own personal experience, Wade was one of the most infuriating people to work with—and that was saying something. He’d been paired with more trainees and wild X-Men than he cared to count. There’s no doubt that Wade was skillfully talented but often Scott debated whether those talents outweighed the endless stream of chatter he had to put up with.
For a moment, an awkward silence settled over the room—one that, surprisingly enough, Wade didn’t fill. Then Logan glanced toward Wade, almost nervously as if seeking reassurance. Wade noticed instantly.
“Well, it seems like the deal is sealed!” Wade exclaimed, “Me and Logan, living the dream, saving the world. And after all this, we’ll retire to a cute little cabin in the woods. Just us. All cosy and domestic.”
He bumped into Logan’s arm playfully and Scott caught the briefest twitch of a smile on Logan’s lips before he ducked his head, quickly masking it.
“We’re all done here,” Scott said, with a tight smile, “It was nice to see you, Logan.”
“And Wade,” Jean added.
Wade leaned closer to Logan, stage-whispering, “I doubt that.”
“We’ll see you two around,” Logan replied with a nod, turning towards the door.
Wade grinned at Jean and Scott giving a mock salute before he jogged to catch up with Logan. Without hesitation, he slipped his arm through Logan’s, leaning heavily on him.
Scott expected Logan to push him off with a shove and a gruff comment but surprisingly enough Logan didn’t do anything. He just let Wade stay there.
The pair wandered out of the room, the door closing softly behind them, leaving Scott standing there, his thoughts spinning.
Scott just blinked blankly at the closed door trying to wrap his head around what had just happened.
“I expected him to be more…forward,” Scott said, breaking the silence “Especially with you.”
“With me?” Jean said teasingly.
Scott shrugged, “The other Logan—”
“This isn’t our Logan, Scott,” Jean said firmly, “And besides, I think he’s very much interested in someone else…”
Scott tilted his head confused, “Who?”
Jean gives him a deadpan look, “Seriously? Were we not just in the same room for the past half an hour?”
“Wait…Wade?!” Scott exclaimed, his tone incredulous.
Jean chuckles, “It’s so obvious Scott.”
Scott opened his mouth as if to argue but closed it quickly as he replayed their conversation. The way Logan looked at Wade, the way he seemed to always shift towards him and even the way he tolerated Wade made everything so clear.
Logan was in love with Wade.
“But Wade is just so…different. Energetic. Nothing like Logan.”
“Maybe that’s exactly what Logan needs.”